Discussing the importance of K-12 STEM Education with Dr. Sarah Brown
May 13, 2024

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education provides intentionally designed and linked learning experiences for students to develop and apply understandings of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics concepts and processes. Integrating STEM concepts into K-12 education allows students from age five to eighteen to gain experience that helps to provide them with critical thinking and problem-solving skills that are widely applicable across career paths and various industries.

Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences (VBS) Assistant Professor Sarah Brown is involved with STEM-K12 outreach when she isn't teaching courses for the DVM curriculum.
Dr. Brown started in 2020 at the Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences at the College of Veterinary Medicine as an instructor/coordinator in instructor/coordinator in Gross Anatomy (carnivore), Microscopic Anatomy, Endocrine Physiology and Avian Core within the veterinary professional curriculum. In the fall of 2021, she developed a new elective Medical Terminology course for the DVM program, and during the same year she became coordinator of the undergraduate Companion Animal Anatomy course. Her basic research focus is on the role of prenatal exposures in postnatal bone development. Dr. Brown is also interested in pedagogical research that focuses on innovation that drives student success. When Dr. Brown moved to Minnesota, she realized there was a large Somali community here as well, which is where her interests came full circle. She graciously agreed to to answer some questions about her STEM-K12 outreach work.
Can you give an overview of your background?
I am native of Kenya, born and raised in rural Western province. I discovered my passion for science in high school because Biology was my favorite subject. I moved to Nairobi, the capital, for college education at the age of eighteen. I got a Bachelor's Degree in Biology and Education with the intention of teaching science in high school. However, in my junior year, inspired by a group of Paleontologists and Archeologists during a summer expedition, I decided that I would pursue a graduate degree after my graduation. It was mainly the exposure to these highly dedicated field scientists that sparked my interest in graduate education.
It was also during my college years in Nairobi that I noted a very big Somali population. At that point, I started to understand the impact of civil war and how people get displaced and end up migrating to the closest safe place or country. I closely interacted with the Somali people because we lived in the same neighborhoods. Fast forward, I moved to Minnesota in 2015 and noticed yet another big Somali population.
What sparked your interest to work in STEM-K12 outreach?
I got interested in STEM - K12 outreach for two reasons. First, given the big population of Somali immigrants in the Twin Cities and its surroundings, I am yet to meet one Somali student in our DVM program. Second, my husband works for Minneapolis Public Schools and he has expressed how he interacts with very talented students from diverse backgrounds that would benefit from connection with local professionals to explore careers and training opportunities. As a minority professional in the Twin Cities, I believe I can easily connect with minority students, specifically of Somali origin, as they explore and make plans for life after high school graduation. I draw from my experience as a junior in college. Had I not interacted with Scientists who were very passionate about their work and mainly field research, I would have settled at teaching science in high school.

What K12 STEM schools have you worked with or are planning to work with?
To begin with, I planned to work with Henry High School, Roosevelt High School and North High School. However, in the process of establishing contacts with these schools, I learned about Achieve Twin Cities, a non profit organization that partners with Minneapolis Public Schools and Saint Paul Public Schools to offer a wide range of career and postsecondary planning guidance and resources for about 18,000 high school students each year. I connected with Christine Page, the External Engagement Manager for Achieve Twin Cities whom I had a meeting with to discuss how I can partner with them to inform students of our CVM program. I have enrolled as a volunteer for this organization. As a volunteer, I play three roles:
- I am a Career Exposure Volunteer – where I can share my career experience in high school classrooms, speak on career panels or participate in career networking events.
- I am a Career Fair Volunteer – where I am able to connect and engage with students by sharing information at a table during high school career fair events.
- I will host worksite tours – where I host a group of students at my workplace.
By working with Achieve Twin Cities, I am able to reach a larger audience than I could with individual high schools.
Why is STEM-K12 Education important?
As faculty in the College of Veterinary Medicine, I understand the importance of a science background or interest in scientific thinking in the work we do. The core of our mission at CVM is to improve the health of animals, people, and the environment. This is accomplished through scientific discovery, integration and application. K12 students who show interest in science in general would be better suited for our program. My focus will be on graduating seniors. It is at this time that most students need help to develop and pursue the best postsecondary plans for their individual education, career and life goals.
What are your goals for the upcoming year?
With the understanding that the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine is a professional program, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree. My engagements with high school students will not necessarily have a direct immediate impact on our enrollment. However, my goal is to partner with Career and Counseling Centers in high schools with the aim of informing students of our program. I want them to know that we would love to be part of their career journeys in the way of training and would love to have them as future colleagues. I will also accomplish this by participation in career fair events as a speaker on career panels or sharing information at a table when students are thinking of college application and beyond.